Applicating device



Nov. 17, 19 59 v w. A. SCHAICH 2,912,708

APPLICATING DEVICE Filed March 24, 1958 2 She ets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M45012 4 .fwm/

BY mi/arm I i W. A. SCHAICH APPLICATING DEVICE Nov. 17, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1958 INVENTOR h/4auzflfa/rva (Fax/42p D. 05/4 ATTORNEYS smtos Pat ht APPLICATING DEVICE Wilbur A. Schaich, Maumee, Ohio, assignor to Owens- Illinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application March 24, 1958, Serial No. 723,505

9 Claims. (Cl. 15-1325) The present invention relates to an applicating device for various fluid and semi-fluid substances, and more particularly to that type of device having a reservoir for supplying a fluid or semi-fluid substance to a rotatable element, which when rotated transfers the substance onto a selected surface at a regulated rate and in a smooth and uniform manner.

Heretofore, applicating devices of the aforementioned type. have been, so far as is known, utilized only with bottles and other like containers or receptacles having a conventional reduced diameter neck portion from which the containers contents are dispensed and upon which the applicating ball is mounted to receive and transfer said contents to the intended surface. Applicators and dispensers of this type, however, due to their shape. size and general appearance are not suitable for use asa companion-type applicator or accessory item, suchas may be carried conveniently on or with the person of the user. On the other hand,.many various fluid and semifluid substances, such as, for example, cosmetic, deodorants, toiletries, and particularly medicinal preparations are of such a nature that a convenient and suitable means from home is highly desirable.

The applicating device embodying the present inven-.

tion, as will become clearly apparent from the detailed description presently following, is, in addition to being adapted for ordinary home use, particularly well suited for companion-type use, and is constructed in such manner that it may conveniently be carried as an appropriate accessory item, which fits neatly in a pocket of a persons clothing, or a ladys handbag, or the like, to facilitate a uniform roll-on type application ofvvarious fluid and semi-fluid substances and preparations when the user is away from home.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel applicating device which facilitates a controlled transfer-and. application of various fluid and semi-fluid substances, such as cosmetic preparations, toiletries, medicants, and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to pro-.

vide an applicating device for applying various fluid and semi-fluid substances and in which a rotatable element, suchas a ball, or the like, functions to transfer a smooth and uniform coating of the substance onto the surface to which application is desired in response to rotational movement of the element in contact with such surface.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a dispensing container and applicator assembly having-the foregoing characteristics, which is compact in design, attractive in appearance and easily carried on or with the person of the user. p

A further object of the present invention is the provision. of a dispensing container and applicator assembly, which, addition to facilitating smooth and uniform application, eifectivel-y precludes leakage and evaporation of the containers contents when the assembly is not being utilized for applicating purposes; and to this end eating element removed.

providing means for opening and closing the assembly in convenient manner without necessitating detachment and replacement of a cover or closure therefor.

A particular object of the present invention is the provision in a ball-type applicator assembly having the above characteristics, of: a container, a flexible ap-,

plicating element and a retaining element arranged on the container in such manner that simple manipulation of the retaining element between alternate positions on the container functions to open and close the assembly,

respectively, to permit application and, when applica- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an-applicating device. embodying the present invention and illustrated in closed.

position. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but for comparativepurposes illustrating the device in an open applicating position. i

Fig. .4 is a plan view of the device in open applicating position, and for clarity of illustration with the appli- Fig 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 in Fig. 3, showing a portion of the container wall and retaining element in cross.

section.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a modified form of the container and retaining element. Figs. 7, and 8 are views similar, respectively, to Figs. 2 and 3, but illustrating another modified form of the device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 8,, and for clarity of illustration showing the assembly with,

the applicating element omitted from the assembly.

Briefly, the embodiment represented by Figs. 1-5 in-',

cludes a hollow dispensing container 10 having a. cylindrical exterior configuration quite similar in general appearance to a conventional ladys facial compact, in which substances through a dispensing opening 10a, which is able applicating ball 11, which is confinedin assembledrelationship within the pocket 10b by, a retaining eleshaped to form a pocket 10b in the cylindrical rim 10c of the container communicating with the containers hollow interior. A smooth and uniform application of the containers contents is effected with a resiliently deformment or band 12 slidably arranged on the rim 10c of thecontainer. The retaining band 12 .is movable on the rim between alternative open and closed relative positions illustrated, respectively, in Figs. 3 and 2. "When in open position, a transverse opening 12a of smaller diameter than the applicating ball 11. and. ex-

tending through the retaining band 12 registers with the.

applicating ball 11 and permits a minor diameter seg' ment of the applicating ball to project loosely there-..

overrides the applicating .ball 11 and resultantly closes l 'the dispensing opening 10a by compressing the exposed Patented-Nov. 11, 1959 surface of the applicating ball 11, thus distending the applicating ball laterally outward into sealing contact with the wall surface of the pocket b, as at 10d. Thus, a camming action which is produced by the retaining band 12, when in closed position, prevents evaporation or leakage of the containers contents. By merely manipu lating the retaining band 12 in circular fashion, the device may be quickly reopened. Whereupon, the resilient applicating ball 11 resumes its normal spherical shape and projects through the transverse opening 12a in the retaining element 12 in the manner previously described.

Referring to the invention in greater detail, the container 10 is preferably constructed from glass, rigid plastic, metal, or other similar material capable of retaining a fluid substance therein. The rim 10c of the container 10 defines a relatively smooth exterior surface which facilitates sliding movement of the retaining band 12 thereon as the latter is shifted between the aforementioned open and closed positions. To restrict edgewise displacement of the retaining band 12 and to prevent accidental dislodgement thereof from the container 10, the rim 100 is provided with integrally formed ribs Ni and 10g best observed in Figs. 4 and 5, which protrude radially outward in parallel spaced relation from each opposite marginal edge of the rim thereby defining an annular groove and providing a track guiding the movement of the retaining band. Preferably, but not necessarily, these ribs 10 and 10g are reduced in height or omitted in the vicinity of the dispensing opening 10a to provide greater exposure of the surface of the applicating ball 11 during application of the containers contents. As best illustrated in Fig. 4, the dispensing opening 10a has a spheroidal shape toward its outer axial end and defines a pocket 10b in which to confine a major portion of the applicating ball 11 in ball and socket relationship. At the inner end of the pocket 1012, the Wall of the opening 10a converges inwardly and restricts the opening 10a to a lesser diameter than that of the applicating ball 11, and prevents the latter from being displaced into the interior of the container 10 even when pressure is imposed upon the applicating ball during use or when the applicating ball is compressed by the retaining band 12. The inner rim of the pocket 1% is transversely fluted or otherwise perforated, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, to form at least one fluid passage 10c, which by-passes the area of contact between the applicating ball 11 and the wall of the pocket 10c when the unit is in an applicating position. Thus, the fluid passage or passages Tile obviate the tendency of the applicating ball 11 to seal against the ball supporting surface of the pocket 1% or scrape thereagainst and remove the adhering layer of the containers contents from the balls surface.

The applicating ball 11, which is constructed from a flexible material such as rubber, resilient plastic, or other material having similar properties of deformability, resiliency and scalability, is loosely retained within the pocket 10b to permit universal rotational movement thereof during application, and rests under its own weight upon the restricted portion of the dispensing opening 10a when the container is positioned with the dispensing opening 10a in an upper position, or when the ordinary pressure accompanying application is imposed upon the applicating ball. The exterior surface of the applicating ball 11 is preferably smooth and substantially free from molding scams or other rough surface areas which would adversely affect the scalability of the applicating ball with the wall of the pocket 1012, or which might produce objectionable irritation when rolled in contact with such surfaces as the sensitive human skin.

The retaining band 12 is formed of plastic, metal, rubber, or other similar material, having sufficient resiliency to permit the retaining band to be snapped snugly into position over the rim 100 of the container 10, but which also possesses suflicient rigidity to deform the applicating ball 11 when the retaining band is moved to its closed position. The transverse opening 12a in the retaining band 12 is, as previously mentioned, of smaller diameter than the applicating ball 11, and surrounds a minor diameter chordal segment of the applicating ball in proximately spaced relationship to thereby permit substantially free rotational movement of the ball 11 while confining same within the pocket 10!) when the unit is in an applicating position. The wall surface defining the transverse opening 12a is preferably frustoconical in shape, as at 120. in Fig. 2, which facilitates the overriding movement of the retaining band 12 over the applicating ball 11 when the former is moved from an open to a closed position. Additionally, the outer surface of the retaining band 12 may be provided with grips, as at 12!), in order to facilitate manipulation of the retaining band 12 between its open and closed positions. Also, a flat protruding base 12c is preferably formed on the exterior surface of the retaining band 12 to provide means for supporting the container in an upright positIOn.

in the modified construction of the invention, illustrated in Fig. 6, the container is shaped in the form of a bottle 13 having a cylindrical body portion 13c and a reduced diameter neck portion 13d defining a dispensing opening 13a on one end, and having a protruding base 13c formed on the opposite end, which provides means of upright support for the container. The neck portion 13d defines an outwardly facing surface finish 13f defining a cylindrical segment coaxial with and having the same radius as that corresponding to the cylindrical exterior surface of the body portion 1312 of the bottle. The retaining band 14, in this modified construction, extends only partially around the periphery of the bottle 13, to permit sliding movement of the retaining band between its respective open and closed positions Without interference occasioned by the protrusion of base 130. To provide sufilcient engagement between the retaining band 14 and the cylindrical rim 13b of the bottle and to prevent same from being dislodged from the bottle 13 under ordinary conditions of use, the retaining band is constructed to encompass the body of the container 13 through an angle in excess of In all other practical respects, the structure and function of the modified construction corresponds to the embodiment initially described and shown in Figs. 1-5. In either respective embodiment, it will be observed that when the retaining band is in closed position the applicating ball, which is of deformable construction in both instances, is compressed against the inner end of the pocket and is deformed laterally outwardly into sealing contact with the wall of the pocket. Thus, a seal which effectively precludes evaporation, leakage or other loss of the containers contents may be formed by merely twisting the retaining band to a closed position when application is not desired. Conversely, when the retaining band is twisted to an open position, application may be readily effected by merely rolling the exposed portion of the applicating ball in contact with the surface on which application is desired.

Pursuant to another aspect of this invention, Figs. 7-9 represent an applicating device in which the cylindrical container 15 has a neck portion 15a formed with a conventional straight walled dispensing opening 15b. In this instance the spherical applicating ball 16 may be fabricated from a rigid material, such as glass, polystyrene, metal or other like material, and is supported by an annular insert 17 which fits snugly within the dispensing opening. The insert 17 is formed from a pliant material, such as polyethylene, rubber, or other material having similar properties of resiliency, pliability and scalability, and includes: a radial outwardly projecting rim 17a which seats on the container neck portion 15a; at least one internal projection, such as the three marginally spaced projections 17b, best illustrated in Fig. 9,

which gravitationally supports the applicating ball 16; and, a continuous annular sealing surface 170 defined on the internal wall surface of the insert. Rim 17a defines an outwardly facing end surfac'ef17d having the contour of; a cylindrical segment having aradius identicalwith the radius of the cylindrical body portion of the bottle and centered 'coaxially therewith. The projection or projections 17b are positioned 'relative to the applicating ball 116 and the annular sealing surface. 170 in .such manner that the projections will maintain the applicating r ball in spaced elevated position over the sealing surface and with a minor diameter segment of the applicating ball protruding outward from the rim 17a ofthe insert 17 when the device is in its open applicating position illustrated in Fig. 8. j

The retaining band in this form of the invention is the" same as that previously described with reference to the embodiment shown in Figs. l5,and functions in this instance to override and depress the applicating ball16 when slidably moved on the periphery of the container from its open to closed position, the latter position being shown in Fig. 7. In this instance, however, the applicating ball 16 is rigid and does not deform or distend, but depresses the projection or projections 17b downward and seats firmly on and in sealed contact with the annular sealing surface 17c, when the retaining band is in closed position. Conversely, when the retaining band is moved to its open position the projections 17b resiliently elevate the applicating ball 16 and return same to the aforedescribed applicating position shown in Fig. 8.

In each of the three aforedescribed embodiments, a further seal is effected by the retaining band at the outer end of the dispensing opening which further precludes any escape of the containers contents, and particularly such residual contents as may remain within the ball supporting pocket when each application is terminated in addition to preventing leakage or seepage of the containers contents from beneath the retaining band in the region adjacent the mouth of the dispensing opening during application of the containers contents. In this regard, the cylindrical rim 10c of the container 10 shown in Figs. 1-5, as well as the finish 13f of the container cal wall portion, the outer end of said radial opening aptagios 6 .I claim: j i a 1; A liquid applicator comprising a hollow cylindrical container having a radial opening through its cylindridefining a ball-receiving pocket, a deformable ball inserted in said pocket and being of such diameter that a portion of said ball normally projects radially beyond said cylindrical wall portion, an arcuate retainer rotatably, mounted on said container'in surrounding relation thereto, said retainer having an aperture permitting said projecting portion of said ball to protrude therethrough and freely rotate to apply liquid contents of said container, said retainer also having a surface portion operable by rotation of said retainer relative to said container tocompress said ball into saidpocket to seal said opening.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical wall of said container is provided with an annular groove defining an annular track to receivesaid.

retainer in relatively rotatable relationship.

3. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said retainer is formed of resilient material permitting it to be snapped into engagement with said groove.

4. A liquid applicator comprising a hollow container having a cylindrical wall portion and a radial opening through said cylindrical wall portion, the outer end of said I radial opening having a ball chamber, an annular sealneck portion 13d represented by embodiment shown in Fig. 6, and the outwardly facing end surface 17d on the insert 17 shown in Figs. 7 and 8, respectively, define an arcuate surface mating with the underside surface of the retaining band to form a frictional seal extending in continuous manner around the periphery of the dispensing opening. Hence, the containers contents can only escape through the annular opening defined between the applicating ball and the transverse opening in the retaining band when the device is in open applicating position, and such residual contents as may remain on the surface of the applicating ball or within the ball supporting pocket, following application, are sealed from the atmosphere when the retaining band is moved to its closed position.

From the foregoing description, it is readily apparent that regardless of which of the foregoing embodiments is utilized, there is provided a handy and useful applicating device which presents an attractive appearance and which facilitates application of various fluid and semiing surface in said ball chamber, an applicator ball freely confined in said chamber and radially shiftable therein between a sealing position in contact with said sealing surface and an applicating-position wherein a portion of said ball projects radially beyond said cylindrical wall portion, an arcuate retainer rotatably carried on said container in surrounding relation thereto, said retainer defining an aperture permitting said projecting ball portion to protrude therethrough and freely rotate to apply liquid contents of said container, said retainer also defining a surface portion operable by rotation of said retainer relative to said container to shift said ball into said sealing position.

5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said cylindrical wall portion of said container is provided with an annular groove defining an annular track to receive said retainer in relatively rotatable relationship.

6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said retainer is formed of resilient material permitting it to be snapped into engagement with said groove.

7. An applicating device for fluid and semi-fluid substances comprising a hollow container having a cylindrical rim defining a radial dispensing opening communicating with the interior of said container, the outer end of said radial opening defining a ball-receiving pocket, a rotatable applicating ball inserted in said pocket and being of such diameter that a portion of said ball normally projects outwardly beyond said rim, a cylindrically shaped retainer slidably mounted on said rim in surrounding relation to said container for rotational movement between alternate open and closed positions and confining said applicating ball within said pocket, said retainer defining a transverse opening receiving said projecting portion of said applicating ball therethrough when said retainer is in said open position, said retainer also having a surface portion operable by rotation of said retainer to said closed position to depress and enclose said ball within said pocket.

8. An applicating device for fluid and semi-fluid substances comprising a hollow cylindrical container having a cylindrical rim defining a radial dispensing opening communicating with the interior of said container, the outer end of said dispensing opening defining a ballreceiving pocket, a rotatable applicating ball inserted in said pocket and being of such diameter that a portion of said ball normally projects radially beyond said rim, a cylindrically shaped retainer slidably mounted on said rim in surrounding relation to said container for rotational movement between alternate'open and closed positions and confining said applicating ball within said pocket, said retainer defining a transverse opening receiving said projecting portion of said applicating ball therethrough when said retainer is in said open position and having a surface portion contacting said rim in sealing relation around the periphery of said dispensing opening, said retainer also having a surface portion operable by rotation of said retainer to said closed position to depress and enclose said ball within said pocket.

9. A liquid applicator comprising a hollow container having a cylindrical wall portion and a neck portion defining a radial dispensing Opening, an annular resilient insert supported on said neck portion coaxially with said dispensing opening, said insert having an internal pocket and an internal flexible projection forming the base of said pocket, said internal pocket having an annular seal ing area on the wall surface thereof near said flexible projection, a rigid applicator ball freely supported in said pocket upon said flexible projection, said projection being resiliently defiectable to accommodate movement of said ball between a sealing position in sealing contact with said sealing surface and an applicating position out of contact with said sealing surface and with a portion of said ball projecting outwardly beyond said insert, an arcuate retainer rotatably mounted on said container in surrounding relation thereto, said retainer having an aperture permitting said projecting ball portion to protrude therethrough and freely rotate to apply liquid contents of said container, said retainer also having a surface portion operable by rotation of said retainer relative to said container to shift said ball into said sealing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

